Updated: August 19, 2020
Originally Published: November 21, 2017
As the designated organizer for my son’s class party, I found myself navigating the complexities of planning this annual autumn event. After weeks of collaboration with the teacher and coordinating with fellow parents for supplies, I envisioned a straightforward celebration. We would focus on crafts, group games, and some outdoor play.
However, when I shared the details with the parents, the most common question in response was, “What about snacks?” With the party scheduled shortly after lunch and several children in the class having severe allergies, the teacher and I agreed that snacks weren’t necessary. The kids would be too busy enjoying themselves to notice, right?
Well, the parents had other ideas. They were not pleased.
After considering their feedback, I decided to include snacks and promised to provide allergy-friendly options for everyone.
On party day, I arrived with bags full of craft supplies. As I set up, the teacher pointed to a table at the back of the room and jokingly remarked, “Looks like you’ve prepared quite the feast!” I turned to see that the table was overflowing with packaged snacks donated by the parents.
There were bulk-sized bags of chips, candy, cupcakes, store-bought cookies, and goodie bags bursting with Halloween treats. Not to mention the soda, juice boxes, and large containers of fruit punch—all for a one-hour party meant for little kids. And, let’s not forget the lack of consideration for allergies. Seriously?
Why is it so challenging to host a class party without piling on unhealthy junk food? Food that would likely go to waste since kids are more interested in playing than munching.
Listen up, parents: a mountain of snacks isn’t required at every school event. As a parent of a child with multiple food allergies, I know firsthand how dangerous some treats can be. And my child isn’t the only one facing these challenges; many classrooms have kids with varying allergy severity.
But who cares about allergies, right? Eye-roll.
Let’s face it; food can be fun and is often essential. I get that. However, our children are bombarded with snacks at every turn—be it during soccer practice, scout meetings, or school parties. They now expect food for every single activity. Whatever happened to bringing a water bottle and heading home for dinner?
The situation has spiraled out of control. It’s time to rethink the snack situation.
In addition to safety concerns for allergy kids, let’s talk about childhood obesity. It’s a significant issue in the U.S., affecting approximately 17% of children. According to the CDC, about 12.7 million kids are classified as obese. This condition is defined by a body mass index (BMI) in the 95th percentile or higher. The CDC emphasizes that balancing calorie intake with physical activity is crucial in preventing weight gain.
In simpler terms, our kids are eating more and moving less, leading to serious health risks like diabetes and high blood pressure. Reducing excessive, processed snacks seems like a sensible step forward.
Jamie Oliver’s Food Foundation has also weighed in on this issue, releasing a report that highlights the unhealthy food environments in schools. They found that when sugary snacks dominate the landscape, kids struggle to make healthier choices.
So, the next time you’re tempted to bring a pile of cookies and chips to a class party, think again. Maybe we can find joy in a celebration that doesn’t revolve around sugary snacks.
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In summary, class parties can be enjoyable and engaging without an overabundance of sugary snacks. Parents should consider healthier options, keep allergy safety in mind, and remember that kids are there to play and have fun.
Keyphrase: Class parties without sugary snacks
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